Moses hopes to tackle mental health
Twenty-two-year-old Dabilo Moses, who was recently crowned Miss Independence Botswana queen, Moses is definitely a beauty with brains. As such, she hopes to use her position to deliver a dose of care and tackle mental health issues. The beauty queen was adjudged the fairest of 15 aspiring queens a fortnight ago during the Miss Independence Botswana finale at the Cresta Hotel. Moses is currently pursuing a BA (Hons) degree in Broadcasting and Journalism at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology.
She told Arts & Culture that through that qualification, her main intent was to become a communication specialist. Even though she was born and bred in Botswana’s capital city Gaborone, she hails from Maitengwe, which is in the northern part of this country.
Moses further said she could be described as a jolly and sociable lady as she enjoys meeting new people and interacting with them solemnly to get ideas as well as learn different things from people she comes across. However, she said after partaking in her first big pageant ‘Miss Botswana’ and gaining exposure, she saw it possible for her to partake in Miss Independence and even win the pageant because she learnt that it was required of her during the pageant.
“Motivation from other models that I have been in competitions with, friends and family also sparked my interest in joining this pageant to see how far it could take me. I am ecstatic about this win and it has somehow boosted my confidence and belief towards putting my mind to something and actually
making sure that I do my level best to attain it. This win for me has indeed proved the belief that with constant dedication and self-belief, it is possible to attain whatever it is that you put your mind to. As a social butterfly, I made sure I engage with various people personally as well as through social media in order for them to rally behind me to ensure I win the competition,” she explained.
Furthermore, she pointed out that preparations and presentation of speeches in a manner that best represents her hometown and who she was also had an impact in scooping the Miss Independence title. She explained that Miss Independence to her meant being a representation of this country and representing Setswana culture, embracing it and taking its lessons forward to progress the country especially amongst the youth, more importantly representing the women of Botswana.
During the contest, she also clinched the Miss Photogenic Award. Speaking of her projects, she introduced Lore le Teemane, a developing programme set to deliver a dose of care by tackling mental health issues due to childhood trauma, depression and other mental health conditions with a possible lead to high numbers of suicide. She further explained that the main intention was to create a conducive environment for Teemane Tsa Rona (elders) and Lore (children) inclusive of all ages to burp all that is bothering them and create viable solutions and strengthening bonds under the main aim of “Delivering a dose of care.”
“As a girl growing up, I was always interested in taking part in pageants. I believe my love for gowns I saw on television and pictures as well as the process of being crowned and being named a queen made me join pageants at school (junior and senior school).
However, my first big break was when I joined Miss Botswana. Miss Botswana helped me gain exposure, despite being unable to win, I was and still am proud that I managed to get into the top five. For me that was a big achievement looking at how tough the competition was,” Moses said.
She also explained that like the great and former Miss Universe Mpule Kwelagobe, she wanted to be the girl who brought change through beauty, fashion and pageantry. She said she wants to empower women. She also stated that she wanted to break boundaries and even go as far as participating in Miss World competitions.
Moreover she said as the only female amongst two males, they made sure they motivated her and provided support in all possible ways as they understood how much she had interest in pageants and how much she always wanted to be crowned when participating in them.